Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-08-05
MR.. BARBOUR ON THE DEBT.

HE STANDS BY THE RIDDLEBERGER BILL,
AND THINKS MALONE A MORE INIPOR-
TANT ISSUE THAN THE DEBT.
The Richmond Dispatch on Saturday
published tbs following letter from Hon.
Jno. S. Barbour to a gentleman in Acco
mac county:
Dear SHY our very able and sugges-
tive letter of the 18th, relative to the po-
litical situation in Virginia, and especially
presenting your views in regard to the
state debt, has been duly received and
read with much interest. [ am very much
| obliged for the personal reference to my
| self, and only wish that [ were more COM
| petent to measure up to the requirements
| of the occasion.
| [ have given the subject of the state
| debt good deal of thought, and, as at
present advised, do not see that the Dem
Ocratic party of Virginia can afford to
change The position assumed in 1883 to
abide by the Riddleberger settlement. The
people Of Virginia have approved of this
| platform, as annunciated in the creed of
both parties. l do not think, therefore,
it would be safe to depart from this posi-
ton.
| The assistance of the Federal govern
. ment-to which you refer as the idea of
ttcHfy A--M 1ah nfSE. ana afterwards pres
I ented IN general way by Mr. Blaina-is
| very we'll worthy of consideration. and
| might be introduced at our convention as
| supplementary to the declaration to stand
| by the Riddleberger settlement.
| There was resolution of this sort in
troduced and adopted in the House of Del
egates at the extra session of the legisla-
ture just before its adjournment, which
you may have noticed.
While Congress probably cannot be in
duced to commit the Federal government
to pay directly the obligations of State,
it is believed that a proposition to appro-
| pirate an amount Of the public lands
equivalent in area to the territory which
was taken from Virginia in the dismem-
berment OF the State might be passed. At
least strong equities could be urged in its
behalf and a good case presented to the
national legislature. If this can be ac-
ccmplished a land fund would be realized
! which would fully pay our State debt and
| probably leave US surplus for education
| al purposes.
l do not see that we are so helpless as
regards maintaining our position. If the
people will only have the patriotism to
pay their taxes in money and not ID cou-
pons we will have but little further trou-
BILE. This course on the part Of the people
had been pretty we'll assured until the Re-
| publieans in the cities and counties IN
| dertook the payment il coupons and ex-
| cited the cupldity of some Of our Demo
| cratic friends to do the same thing. Of
course their object was to make PARTY
| capital.
| Tie Republicans, except in few local
tiles, represent very little property of the
State, and their payment Of taxes in cou-
| pOnS will not amount to much if the Dem
I
:. ject can be effected | do not see what is
/, left except to bring public opinion to bear
upon those who are seeking TO take adVan-
| tage of the rest OF the community in the
payment of taxes. Certainly few uon-
eyed men in the cities ought not to be al
| lowed to adopt any line of policy which
| will increase taxation in the State, and
| usurp the power which the regular accred-
| tied representatives of the people in the
| legislature would not dare exercise.
But, my dear sir, this debt question, i'm
portant as it is, ought not to be everything
I in Virginia. Is your section of the State
| willing to see the Malone dynasty restor-
| ed TO power, with all the evils in its train
| which past experience has exhibited? Do
| the Democrats of Acc0mack wish to see
| the congressional districts reapportioned
] in the interest of the Republican party,
| the Judicial circuits rearranged, a new lot
| Of circuit and county judges appointed,
| the school boards vacated and filed with
party backs, and the whole machinery of
our elections, State and Federal, con-
trOlled by such agencies in the hands of
our political adversaries?
l have too much confidence in the Vir-
glnia people to expect any such result.
OF course have written you the above
purely as a personal letter and in reply to
your favor. [ shall be happy to hear from
you at any time, and remain very respect
fully yours. JOHN S. BARBOUR.